Kyiv, Ukraine | April 20, 2025: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for what he called deliberate violations of a promised Easter ceasefire, accusing Moscow of using the 30-hour truce for public relations rather than peace.
Despite Russia’s announcement of a temporary halt to hostilities from Saturday evening to Sunday midnight for humanitarian reasons, Ukrainian authorities reported a sharp increase in attacks across key frontlines. Zelenskyy said Russian forces launched 26 assaults between midnight and noon on Easter Day, with heavy shelling and kamikaze drone strikes targeting Pokrovsk and Siversk. FPV drone usage reportedly doubled by 10 a.m.
In a statement on X, Zelenskyy declared, “We are documenting every Russian violation… and are prepared to provide the necessary information to our partners.” He said the ongoing attacks suggest either Putin has lost control over his forces or has no real intention of ending the war.
Ukraine had announced a symmetrical approach to the ceasefire, but the renewed hostilities raised questions about Moscow’s sincerity. “As of now, Russian assault operations continue on several frontline sectors, and Russian artillery fire has not subsided,” Zelenskyy added. “There is no trust in Moscow’s words.”
Zelenskyy urged the global community to pressure Russia into committing to a full 30-day ceasefire that could give diplomacy a chance. He emphasized that a short-term truce is not enough to build genuine confidence.
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had posted a video of Putin announcing the Easter ceasefire on humanitarian grounds. However, this is the second truce to falter since the war began in 2022—the previous one during Orthodox Christmas in 2023 also collapsed without mutual agreement.
Zelenskyy Slams Putin Over Easter Truce Violations, Calls for Real Ceasefire Effort
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